Welcome to the Third newsletter of The Cross Foxes Trawsfynydd
Hello again, here we are back with our August newsletter. The summer has raced by and August has disappeared. We currently have a mini heatwave going on as we write this in early September but we now have to plan for the forthcoming cold and dark times- a time when the outdoors is to many even more appealing.
We love the mud and cold and we are not alone!
Mountain biking and the great outdoors
The first full weekend in August, the 7th and 8th, turned out to be a cracker. Under the guidance of the super fit/super helpful Dave McCue, three of us set off to explore a Rhynog route that he had devised. He must have an app called ‘find all the steep hills’ as we returned full of endorphins after 5 hours, 55 miles and over 3600 feet of climbing. What a buzz!
Dave will be guiding that route again for any takers in the coming months. Absolutely stunning.
Be sure not to miss MTB weekend on 8th and 9th October! We will be sending all our loyal subscribers our fantastic offers.
The following one was a family weekend and it was river swims, beach walks and Bens great food. In my day kids ate ‘kids meals’: this generation seem to eat their own bodyweight. Especially in local sausage and Yorkshire pud!
Kids love the bunkrooms and they do eventually go to sleep, but generally in the car on the way home.
Calling in on the way back having a piece of cake and watching the kayakers and white water rafters fighting for their lives was a pleasant diversion. The nearest centre to us is the National White Water Centre.
More mischief followed. Intrepid explorer and Geographer/rugby legend came out to search for Bryn Cader Faner, the extraordinary 4000 year old monument high up in the Rhinogs. He took a Cross Foxes packed lunch which played a big part in him finding the amazing site.
"The homemade scotch eggs were amazing..."
He came back across the Rhinogs heading south and found very few real paths. Scrambling and scree running were the only way back but he made it tired and thirsty after seven hours out. Soon rehydrated on the ‘too good’ Guinness he has resolved to trace some better paths back next time so he can guide groups in the future.
The history contained in this unique mountain range is quite something. The following day Pete had his first bike ride for quite a few years on a Cross Foxes borrowed bike, when he tackled the lake circuit with Chris W.
On that last afternoon of the weekend it was seemingly quiet when 21 cyclists called in for a coffee. They were a mix of tandems, electric bikes, MTBs and expensive road bikes. Chris asked many questions but never got to fully understand how they had managed to all get to the Cross from Northampton in two days?
The final weekend of the month was sunny again and it was Beach time. We seemed to have the whole of Black Rock Sands to ourselves. Acres and acres of sand stretching out in both directions and so hot.
Why would anyone go abroad? The noise of the jet skis at the far end didn’t even bother us we were so content.
Then mid week our very own star of film and screen was back and this time we managed to get a promo shot for our walls. Steve O’Keefe, legend and lovely man with equally lovely lady friend back again. His brothers also called out around the same time. Big little brother Martin collected his night at the Cross with wife Trish having been pulled out of the hat. They had a magical time on the august bank holiday Monday with some great music.
Last but definitely not least mountain man middle brother brought his son Michael out for some outdoor activities. Just need elder brother Peter out here now.
Old rugby pal Mike Davies enquired if the Cross is dog friendly which we obviously are. We prefer dogs, they don't talk back and they always finish their food! Then he sent us a photo. We never mentioned small horses being allowed Michael...
Dogs are welcome in our restaurant, bar and accommodation. Enquire with us first just to let us know.